Finger pressure douche



May 21, 1957 w. E. FERGUSON FINGER PRESSURE DOUCHE Filed July 28, 1953 N w R U MG R EE VF 5 M I L L BY M Jam? ATTORN EYS United States fatent FINGER PRESSURE DOUCHE William E. Ferguson, Boston, Mass.

Application July 28, 1953, Serial No. 370,733

2 Claims. (Cl. 128-260) This invention relates to a novel disposable douche embodying a tubular neck portion open at one end to receive a finger thereinto and carrying at its other end a chamber enclosing a charge of medicament adapted to be expressed outwardly of the chamber by finger pressure. The medicament can be of any form, such as a liquid, cream, jelly or powder, and the finger receiving portion of the douche is of waterproof material that shields the finger against contact with the medicament. The production of a novel douche of this nature adapted to be inserted into the body and manipulated by finger pressure to distribute a desired medicament on affected internal parts comprises the primary object of the invention.

These and other features of the invention are hereinafter more specifically described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is an enlarged elevation of the douche,

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view therethrough,

Fig. 3 illustrates how the douche is employed on a finger of the hand,

Fig. 4 illustrates an open stiffening frame that can be embodied in the forward end of the douche, and

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section through the douche including the frame built thereinto.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing, indicates a tubular sac of waterproof fabric open at one end to receive a finger thereinto and closed at its other end. A fabric wall 12 is carried by the sac beyond and in spaced relation from its closed end and provides a chamber 14 therebetween, and a charge 16 of medicament is enclosed within the chamber. The medicament can be in any desired form but preferably is of a nature adapted to flow under pressure. Preferably the wall 12 is in the form of a tube telescoped over and in close face to face contact with the tube 10 above the chamber, both being open at one end to receive a finger. The wall 12 can be of the same construction throughout or the closed end can be of special construction normally to contain the medicament and permit its outward expression through the wall under finger pressure.

When a liquid medicament is employed it can be contained in the chamber within absorbent cotton or other suitable fabric and the chamber end of the wall 12 will be a fine fabric weave providing fine foraminous construction permitting the outward expression of the medicament therethrough under pressure. In some cases where a liquid or jelly is employed it may be desired to use a substantially closed fabric having relatively thin and weak areas 17 adapted to rupture under pressure and thus permit the outward expression of the medicament therethrough, but the employment of a semi-liquid jelly or cream, powders, etc. will ordinarily permit the employment of a fabric adapted normally to contain the medicament but having foramina permitting outward expression of the medicament under pressure. The sac 10 will be somewhat resilient or elastic to conform to the finger and permit free pressure at the chamber to discharge the medicament.

It may be desirable to give supporting body to the entire douche and for this purpose I may form the tubular wall 12, containing the tube Iii, of a quilted stitched fabric that renders the wall somewhat self-sustaining t0 the form illustrated and supports the sac in semi-rigid condition. However it will be apparent that in use the finger is adapted to give firm support to the douche above the chamber 14 and only the chambered portion beyond the finger may therefore require the quilted or like support to render it semi-rigid. The quilting within the wall 12 will be of a compressed nature providing the desired support. The walls 10 and 12 are in close face to face contact and can be bonded together adhesively or by any suitable means uniting them into a unit and preventing leakage from the chamber 14. A flexible cord bail 18 is attached at its ends to the open end of the douche.

In Fig. 4 I have illustrated an open frame 20 preferably of plastic composition which, if greater rigidity is desired, can be built into the chamber end of the douche. The frame conforms to the rounded end of the chamber and is disposed therein beneath the wall 12 as illustrated in Fig. 5.

The douche is employed in the manner illustrated in Fig. 3. The long finger of a hand is inserted fully into the open end of the douche in a manner supporting the douche on the finger with the bail cord 18 looped about the finger or hand. The douche is then inserted to an extent engaging the chamber end against the internal parts affected and to be treated. The medicament is thereupon expressed outwardly through the wall 12 by finger pressure against the inner wall of the chamber. After completing the treatment the douche is withdrawn and can be disposed of merely by holding it upright over a toilet bowl and releasing the cord 18. It is particularly noted that the finger is at all times protected from contact with the medicament and the entire operation is completely sanitary.

It is contemplated that the units will be packaged in sterile envelopes or the like and remain sealed from the atmosphere until used, and the product is adapted for both professional and personal use.

Having thus disclosed my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A finger pressure douche comprising a tubular sac of waterproof fabric open at one end to receive a finger thereinto and closed at its other end, a fabric wall carried by the sac beyond and in spaced relation from its closed end and providing a chamber therebetween, and a charge of medicament in the chamber adapted to be expressed outwardly through the wall under pressure from p the sac, said fabric wall being of fine foraminous construction permitting the outward expression of the medicament therethrough under pressure.

2. A finger pressure douche comprising a tubular sac of waterproof fabric open at one end to receive a finger thereinto and closed at its other end, a fabric wall carried by the sac beyond and in spaced relation from its closed end and providing a chamber therebetween, a charge of medicament in the chamber adapted to be expressed outwardly through the Wall under pressure from the sac, and an open frame of stiff material conforming to and supporting the wall within the chamber.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,410,460 Robinson Nov. 5, 1946 2,433,538 Warner Dec. 30, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS 326,719 Great Britain Mar. 20, 1930 859,835 France Sept. 16, 1940 

